Ducks in final five for No. 1 basketball prospect in the country

Oakland Soldiers’ Tyran Stokes (4) shoots a free throw during a game at Nike EYBL at the Memphis Sports & Events Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Oakland Soldiers’ Tyran Stokes (4) shoots a free throw during a game at Nike EYBL at the Memphis Sports & Events Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

From Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, 6-7, 230 forward Tyran Stokes is the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class.

He's made official visits to all five of his finalists, Kansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Louisville, and USC. He dropped the list Sunday after visiting the Ducks on September 19.

Stokes is ridiculously smooth and explosive with a 7-foot wingspan. He posted a triple double at the U19 FIBA World Cup in July, a game the U.S. won 140-67 over Jordan. Stokes tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, the first U.S. player to accomplish the feat the history of the tournament.

Sometimes it's better to just let the film do the talking.

Stokes is so athletic and fluid that it's like Dakorien Moore was 6-7 and could throw down with one hand. He's a devastating rebounder and shot blocker; he can run the floor like a guard. He passes as well as he shoots.

This fall he turned out for the Notre Dame football team at wide receiver, scoring a touchdown and 57 yards receiving in a September 26 57-14 win over Culver City. Two nights later he posted 27 points and 8 rebounds in a Border League game against Dynamic Prep of Texas, with steals and clutch free throws late in the game.

Most experts say his recruitment is a tossup between Oregon, Kentucky or Kansas. Even so, a football coach can dream.

Last week the Ducks got a commitment from Top 25 recruit Tajh Ariza, a 6-9 forward from Los Angeles.

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